Most homeowners have heard of termites, and know that these pests chew their way through wooden structures, including houses, garages and fences, as well as other natural food sources. Termites cause billions of dollars worth of damage to homes and properties each year. Their colonies can number in the thousands or even millions, and a termite colony can lay waste to wooden beams, rafters, siding or flooring in your home or garage.

Which types of wood are their favorites? For example, do termites eat cedar, an evergreen tree that is common in Texas and other southern states? Or, if some people think cedar is an effective DIY method to keep wool moths at bay, you might wonder: could cedar repel termites as well?

The short answer is that while some research has shown that some types of commercially-available wood may be more palatable to termites than others, subterranean species have been found … Read Full Post »

During the spring, homeowners may begin to notice animals and plants that may have been inactive or dormant during the coldest months of the year.

While blooming plants and baby animals make most of us feel warm and fuzzy inside, some creatures that become more visible when the temperatures climb are less likely to inspire the same kind of positive feelings. One example? Termites.

If you see a flying bug with wings, you might be seeing an ant, but you could be seeing a termite. If you spotted the latter, you want to nip the problem in the bud as fast as possible. You probably already know why, but just to give you a reminder, we’re going to hit the highlights real quick.

Why should you jump into action if you see termites?

We all know that fire and natural disasters can do a lot of expensive damage. Did you realize that termites cause more … Read Full Post »

Do termites bite? This is a common question among individuals who encounter these destructive insects around their home or yard. For one thing, when you spot termites in or around your home, you’re probably seeing adult termites, which can look quite a bit like ants—and we all know that ants bite. Plus, it’s well-known that termites feed on wood. A typical termite colony can number in the many thousands, and these critters are capable of destroying entire structures by weakening the frame as they feed on and tunnel through it. If a termite can chew through wood, then it stands to reason that it could bite a human or a dog, right?

Well, not necessarily. The answer to whether termites bite people is a bit complicated, but the simple answer is that it’s unlikely you’ll ever be bitten by a termite. Here’s why.

Termites are easily one of the most expensive types of pest infestations that can plague your home. They can chew away at important structures undetected for weeks and cause major damage to your property.

The best way to help prevent termite damage is to become more educated about the pests causing it. Here is our comprehensive guide covering what you need to know about drywood termites from ABC Home & Commercial Services.

What Do Drywood Termites Look Like?

Unless you are an extermination expert, correctly identifying insects can be tricky and confusing. Sometimes it can help to compare the insects on your property to pictures on the internet, but many species have a range of different colors and sizes that are considered normal. Here are some of the key characteristics of drywood termites to help you identify them.

Size – Drywood termites differ in size according to their role in the colony. Soldier termites … Read Full Post »

No insect strikes more fear into the heart of homeowners than termites. Termites cause billions of dollars’ worth of damage every year and single infestations can number in the millions.

It’s estimated that there are fifteen hundred pounds of termites for every human being on the planet! Needless to say, they are a formidable force.

As we head into spring, termites are preparing to find mates and start new colonies. March and April are the termites’ mating period, also known as swarm season.

March 12-18th is Termite Awareness Week, making it the perfect time to complete this termite inspection checklist around the home.

Termite Awareness Week

The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) created Termite Awareness Week for the second week of March. This year, Termite Awareness Month falls on March 12-18. Follow the hashtag #TermiteWeek for more information.

Do I Have Termites?

Termites do not like to make themselves known. They rarely stray from their soil, mud … Read Full Post »

Any homeowner who has seen small, winged, ant-like insects in or around their home has probably wondered, What do baby termites look like? It’s smart to worry about a possible termite infestation, as these insects are a serious problem if they infest your home, garage or other structure. They can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your property.

In fact, Americans reportedly spend $1 billion each year on termite control and repairs to correct damage caused by these small but powerful pests. Clearly, a savvy homeowner should know how to identify termites. Telling these creatures apart from winged ants, for example, or any other look-alike insect species, however, can be tough. Many of us are familiar with what these insects look like in their adult form, but what about termite larvae? Read on to learn more about baby termites, the termite life cycle, swarming season and how to … Read Full Post »

Did you know that termites are responsible for 5 billion dollars in damage per year in just the United States alone? By the time most homeowners start to notice termite damage, the termites have been munching away for quite some time. Here in North Texas, homes are especially susceptible to termite damage. Termites thrive in the humid weather of the summer months and eat away at your home’s wood structures year round. As a homeowner, it’s important to take preventative measures to keep termites from literally eating you out of house and home.

But, if you think you may be too late, look for these signs of termite infestation to know when to call in the professionals at ABC Home & Commercial Services.

Mud tubes near the home’s foundation.

Mud tubes are small, irregularly patterned lines made of dried mud that often outline the outside of your home’s foundation, usually created at the … Read Full Post »

Most homeowners have heard of termite infestations in the wooden structures of a home, such as floors, attics, support beams and the wood frames behind drywall. But did you realize termites in trees can also be a real problem, especially if termites make their way from trees on your property onto your home and other wooden structures?

Termites in Trees

Read on to find out about signs of termites in trees, including termite holes in trees’ trunks and branches, and learn what to do if trees on your property are home to a termite infestation.

Types of Termites

There are two main types of termites that can cause problems to people’s homes and other parts of their property: subterranean and drywood.

True to their name, drywood termites don’t require much moisture to survive, and thus can thrive within the drier woods found in hardwood floors, attic spaces or higher-up areas of a home. While … Read Full Post »

People from around the world flock to Orlando for many reasons, one of them being the year-round sunny weather. Here in Orlando, homeowners know that it’s the nicest time of year to be out and about, enjoying our yards, parks and outdoor spaces. That’s one reason that spring is a good excuse to take a closer look at your biggest investment—your home—to ensure you are doing what you can to take advantage of your biggest investment.

Orlando Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

Orlando homeowners has grown to depend on ABC Home & Commercial Services to keep their property free of pests. Our skilled and knowledgeable technicians treat your home as they would their own and do anything they can to be helpful. As an extension of this philosophy, ABC has created an Orlando Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017 to provide useful resources for both your indoor and outdoor spaces.

Termite damage to your home can be a costly—not to mention stressful—problem to resolve. That’s why preventing termite infestation before it begins is the best way to avoid the extensive damage that can be caused by these invasive pests.

Early Signs of Termites

Fortunately, there are many ways to spot early signs of termites, so you can treat the problem before it spreads. Read on to learn more about warning signs that might indicate termites are nearby, and what to do if you suspect there is termite activity in or around your home.

Types of Termites

North America is home to two main varieties of termites: subterranean and drywood.

Subterranean termites need plenty of moisture to survive, so they make their nests in soil. Their nests are connected to food sources such as fence posts, trees or houses, by way of mud tubes. Subterranean termites eat along the grain of soft wood. The distinctive honeycomb … Read Full Post »